10 Eco-Friendly Cleaning Brands You May Not Know About

One used to have to look far and wide for eco-friendly cleaners, or make your own. But now brands like Seventh Generation, Ecover, Method, and Mrs. Meyer's are household names. But despite their market dominance, smaller independent cleaning brands continue to develop, and they're distinguishing themselves by focusing on locally-sourced ingredients and manufacturing. Here are a few great eco cleaning companies you may not have heard of:

1Murchison-Hume: Made in Australia and sold online and in stores like Anthropologie, Murchison-Hume is cornering the high-end eco-cleaner market. They advertise that they're the "world's first ever Premium Organic Housecleaning Product." Some of the products (dishwasher, laundry, personal care) come packaged in a 6-pack renewable timber cleaning caddy. Available online.

2Common Good: Brooklyn-based Common Good was started on the belief that people were using too much plastic, so they designed their cleaners to be bought in bulk and refilled. They carry laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaner, hand soap, and dish soap, all of which are made of 100% biodegradable, plant-based ingredients. All the cleaners also come dye and fragrance-free (although you can choose an essential-oil scent if you want), and are free from dyes, masking agents, synthetic perfumes, chlorine bleach, and phosphates. Available online and at select stores in Brooklyn.

3Beauty Engineered forEver (B_E_E): This New Zealand line of cleaners use essential oils and natural ingredients like coconut and sugar. They're also the only range of cleaning products in New Zealand to receive the Environmental Choice accreditation and an endorsement by the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment. The line includes Laundry Liquid, Laundry Powder, Delicate Fabric Wash, Multi-Surface Cleaner, Dishwash Liquid, and Whitener. Available from these New Zealand stores.

4Replenish: Replenish is a non-toxic, readily biodegradable, and 98% plant-based cleaner that is designed to help you save money, water and plastic. The kicker is that the recyclable PET #1 plastic bottle is shipped with a removable, concentrated cleaner pod that attaches to the bottle's base. Just flip, squeeze the cleaner into the bottle, and then mix with water. When you've used up the cleaner, simply replace the pod and reuse the bottle! Each bottle is guaranteed to last 3 years, while each concentrate pod can make 4 bottles (64 ounces) worth of cleaner.

5IQ Clean: IQ cleaners come in a tiny, 3 1/2-inch tall cartridge that pops into a reusable spray bottle. Fill it up with tapwater, and you're ready to go. The cleaner itself is plant-based and nontoxic. When the spray bottle empties, just replace the cartridge. Buy at these retailers in Canada and the US.

7Zum Natural Cleaning Products from Indigo Wild: a favorite of Sarah Rae's, who wrote a raving review of it here, this Kansas City company prides itself on its pronounceable ingredients list— pure essential oils, goats milk, glycerin, meadowfoam seed oil, shea butter, soy wax, certified organic botanical extracts, and juju. Their cleaning line includes laundry soap, a sink and surface scrub, and a granite and countertop cleaner. They also have a full line of personal care products (soaps, lotions, etc).

8The Laundress: Founded by two women with fashion backgrounds who did not want to take their expensive clothing to the dry cleaners! The Laundress line started out as a non-toxic washing detergent that was safe to use on delicate fabrics like cashmere and silk, but it now includes a complete line of speciality laundry detergents and home cleaning solutions. All the products are allergen, phthalate, phosphate and paraben free and are 100% biodegradable.

9The Good Home Co: Uses aromatherapy and tests their products on people not animals to abide by their "cruelty-free" mantra. Their laundry products are biodegradable, paraben-free, phosphate-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, cruelty-free and 100% vegan, although they are scented with essential oils. They also have kitchen and bathroom cleaners. Buy online or at the following US retailers.

10Sapadilla: Canadian-based Sapadilla's cleaning products are made with pure, plant-based ingredients (palm and coconut oil, and vegetable glycerin) and essential oils. Find the dish soap, laundry soap, countertop, and all-purpose cleaners at these retailers or online.

If you've used any of these cleaners, please give us your review below!